The CFL team followed those transactions by signing free-agent defensive tackle Zack Evans, a Regina product, and re-signing fullback Spencer Moore. Shortly before the free-agency deadline, the re-signing of centre Dan Clark had been announced.

Evans, who signed a one-year contract, spent 2012 and 2013 with the Roughriders before joining the Ottawa Redblacks.

“Honestly, free agency is scary,” Evans said via conference call from Ottawa. “It’s so questionable, because it’s either really good for you or really bad and you have no idea. When this fell into my lap and I heard what was going on (with the Riders), it was the perfect fit to the perfect fairy tale for me.”

Evans, 27, returns to the Riders as a different player.

“I was looking at old pictures of my last season with the Riders,’’ he said, referencing the championship season of 2013. “I look like a 15-year-old boy. I had a shaved face. I was skinny and it didn’t look like me.

“Now I have a wife. I have a son. I have another Grey Cup ring. I’ve matured as a player. I’m excited to bring my experience back to the Riders and to help out the team. Hopefully we can get another Grey Cup there.’’

Dennis’s release took place almost a year to the day after the Riders signed the international offensive lineman, amid much fanfare. He was coming off a 2016 season, spent with the Calgary Stampeders, in which he was named the CFL’s top offensive lineman.

Dennis didn’t reach that level with the Riders. He started six games at left tackle before shifting to left guard with the emergence of Bruce Campbell at left tackle.

Dennis’s performance and his salary likely contributed to his release. According to 3DownNation.com, Dennis was the highest-paid offensive lineman in the CFL, earning $180,000 in the first year of a three-year deal. He was supposed to receive a raise in the second and third years of the contract.

Some of the money freed up by releasing Dennis was used to sign Evans. According to 3DownNation, Evans will earn $170,000 in 2018.

Signing Evans improves a Riders defence that had only 27 sacks in 2017. The Riders earlier re-signed Willie Jefferson, the team’s sack leader (with eight) in 2017. They also acquired defensive end Charleston Hughes, who as a Stampeder led the CFL in sacks in each of the past two seasons, from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for backup quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

“It’s going to be a really good year,’’ Evans said. “I’m very excited to work with (Jefferson and Hughes).”

Evans is a two-time Grey Cup champion, having most recently celebrated a championship with the Redblacks in 2016. He made his way to Ottawa after being selected in the expansion draft, held shortly after the 2013 season.

“It was very tough to leave (Regina) because honestly I thought I would always be a Rider and that I would retire as a Rider,” Evans said. “Life throws you a curveball and you have to make the best of it. Ottawa gave me an opportunity to earn a spot and to become the player I am today.”

Clark signed a two-year contract extension just prior to Tuesday’s CFL’s free-agent deadline. Moore subsequently agreed to a two-year deal.

Clark joined the Riders in 2009 as a territorial junior. He made his CFL debut in 2012 and has been the starting centre for three seasons.

Moore was selected in the fifth round (44th overall) of the 2013 CFL draft. Over five seasons, he has dressed for 63 regular-season games and recorded 34 special-teams tackles.

Demski, Leonard and Mrabure signed with new teams on Tuesday. Demski agreed to a one-year deal with his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Leonard (now of Ottawa) and Mrabure (Calgary) signed one-year deals.

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